Julie Frusher
Julie is currently writing a novel about Hugh and aims, at a later date, to produce a biography of this much maligned man.
A Few Notes About the Website
1. This site is constantly evolving and growing. Certain areas need more things written about them - and this will happen in the future. I am always open to constructive comments and suggestions on content and improvement. Guest writers and reviewers are also welcome - please contact me if you are interested in contributing.
2. Although Hugh was referred to, in his time, as Hugh le Despenser, I have shortened it to Hugh Despenser as this makes things simpler (for me!).
3. All content on the site - text and images etc - are, of course, all copyright, to me: Julie Frusher (or Lady D. as I previously signed myself on my blog) - unless otherwise stated. If you wish to use any material, please contact me: I am usually more than happy to help.
4. Although all factual posts (articles) are thoroughly researched with conventional research methodology, not all are referenced or include a bibliography. This is deliberate to prevent wholesale copying of my work by people who want to pass it off as their own without doing all the footwork (and thereby denying themselves a fascinating experience, I think). If you need to know a reference for anything I've written, contact me.
5. As mentioned in the fiction section, some of my fictional writing does include some details that I have come across with 'alternative research' (see section for details). This alternative material is never included in my 'factual' research, even if it can be verified by conventional means. This is not because I don't believe in it, but because the methods used are still unacceptable to conventional research methodology. Therefore, everything in the factual articles (apart from speculation, which is noted as such), has its origin in reference-able primary and secondary sources.
5. This website (and indeed all of my work) is not funded in any way by an outside agency, grant or sponsor. I do everything in my own time and out of my own pocket because I have a passion for it. However, if the site has helped or entertained in any way, it would be great if you could perhaps consider donating a small sum to help with hosting costs, research expenses etc. Thankyou.
This Website was made using:
Rapidweaver 4.0
RWT Theme Moxie2 (Customised)
Your Head's Blocks and Collage
Henrik Vrieselaar's Collage Themes and other snippets
Rapidweaver Classroom
Adobe Photoshop CS2
Adobe Illustrator
Copious cups of coffee and chocolate biscuits
The moral support of friends and family
THANKYOU to everyone!
PS - A couple of notes on things that look a bit odd but seem to be a bug in the site builder and not something I can alter easily:
Text in italics is horribly smaller than either the normal text or the blockquote text!
The first line of some colums of linked text also comes out smaller despite being fine in the code!
In 2006, in the BBC History Magazine, Hugh Despenser the younger was chosen as the 'worst Briton' of the 14th century by historian Nigel Saul for his record of extortion, land-grabbing and other abuses of his power. Other historians and writers have also depicted this man as completely wicked, murderous and to be honest, a completely two dimensional moustache-twirling villain.
In short, his reputation was very much the same as Richard III's had once been. While the man was certainly ruthless, opportunistic, ambitious - and very good at getting on the wrong side of the wrong people - was he really the evil baron of repute? This website aims to examine, in detail, his life, the accusations against him, and the context of the time. It looks at how much of what was alleged was true and what was propaganda spread by those opposed to his and Edward II's regime.
All articles are backed by research - mostly primary sources, some of which have never been looked at closely in relation to Hugh's involvement in events. As yet there is no biography of the man: this site is the closest thing at the moment. There is still much more research to be done, documents to be found, transcribed and translated - but, bit by bit, the real man is beginning to emerge from the cartoon character.
Briefly though, his life can be summarised thus:
* Born around 1287
* Married to Eleanor de Clare in 1306 (and knighted too a few days before)
* Became Lord of Glamorgan in 1317
* Became Edward II's chamberlain in 1318
* Became the focus of a Marcher lord led revolt in 1321 due to his land depredations and was forced into exile.
* During his 'exile' he became a pirate
* Returning to Edward's side after his defeat of the Marcher barons, his grip on power became absolute (and in some quarters, hated).
* 1326: forced to flee to Wales with Edward when Roger Mortimer and Isabella (Edward's estranged wife) invaded England. Captured and executed. Edward II deposed.